I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 229 Xu Kong is not aiming for the championship
"Do you know Xu Kong?"

As one of the contestants of "Singer" this year, Lan Shu obviously got the news that the challenge singer in this episode is Xu Kong not much earlier than the outside world.

Although the popularity of "Singer" has declined sharply this year, it has even been squeezed out of the top spot in variety show data during the same period.

But for most singers, it is still almost the best resource in the country.

There is no other way. Apart from reality shows, if an actor wants exposure, it is likely that a big hit in a drama will be enough to achieve it.

But as a singer, not only do you have to maintain a certain frequency of releasing songs, you also have to find ways to make the audience remember you.

Many people even encounter a similar situation, that is, although their songs are popular, they themselves are not popular at all.

Therefore, music variety shows are the best opportunities for all singers to showcase themselves.

Among them, "Singer" is the one with the highest value and in all aspects.

……

"I do not know how to put it."

"I thought I knew him well before, but now I feel like I know nothing about Xu Kong."

Jian Junfang's words were not just perfunctory.

Because this is how he truly feels.

Speaking of the entertainment industry, before Xu Kong officially debuted, he might be the first person to come into contact with his colleagues in the industry.

In the original talent show, he was a mentor and Xu Kong was a contestant.

It still depends on connections. He was obviously the type who was recommended by the program team, which is the type he hates the most.

As a result, less than a year later, when I saw Xu Kong again, he was already participating in the show "Our Song".

At the beginning, he still looked at the other person with tinted glasses.

Who knew that Xu Kong's performance would become more and more exaggerated later on.

Especially in terms of creative ability, Jian Junfang did not doubt it before, but was certain that there was someone behind Xu Kong, whether it was to help or to be his ghostwriter, anyway, it was impossible for the song to be written by the tone-deaf young boy at the time.

……

But as early as halfway through the show, Jian Junfang had changed his mind.

There is no way. Xu Kong's creative speed and quality are so amazing that even if he finds a bunch of so-called gunmen or ghostwriters, it would be impossible to achieve the same result.

You have to admit it whether you like it or not, Xu Kong is indeed a genius.

It’s just that when he first debuted on that show, he hadn’t awakened yet, or for some other reasons, he deliberately didn’t show it.

In any case, Jian Junfang's current attitude towards Xu Kong can be said to be a complete 180-degree reversal from before.

In comparison, Lan Shu himself didn't feel much.

She had listened to many of Shaokong's songs and of course knew how high their quality was.

But after all, this is the stage of "Singer", and what is being competed is not the songwriting ability, but the singer's own singing skills and performance.

This is also because Lan Shu is not very old, he is only in his thirties and can be said to be at the peak of his career.

Not to mention Xu Kong, even if Hua Hongjuan came, she would still think she was capable of fighting.

In comparison, the older Jian Junfang is still the type of person who likes to speak the truth directly.

But after going through so much, I have become somewhat indifferent to it.

For him, the show "Singer" may not be much different from other variety shows.

Even if he was eliminated now, Jian Junfang would not have much emotional fluctuation.

It's just a job done for money, a variety show, it cannot affect his past achievements and his current status in the Chinese music scene.

It’s just that when facing Xu Kong, who was still a contestant in front of him but has now competed on the same stage with him in just one year, he felt a little emotional for a moment.

……

It’s true, even though he had always been very hostile to Xu Kong.

But after they talked it out, he and Xu Kong actually chatted about it several times in private.

Although we can’t be called particularly good friends nowadays, our relationship is surprisingly good.

It’s just because Xu Kong is too busy, and the two of them have promised to work together before, but they haven’t had the time to fulfill it until now.

This time, we can take advantage of the opportunity to record the show together to see if there is a chance to finalize this matter.

We can’t let Xu Kong find another excuse to run away.

"But Xu Kong being the challenger singer is also a good thing for us..."

Lan Shu also admitted this.

It has to be admitted that Xu Kong is not yet a so-called superstar.

But as the youngest king of singers at present, she can't compare with him in terms of popularity and traffic.

Even if Lan Shu and Jian Junfang were added together, they probably wouldn't be able to catch up to half of Xu Kong's current popularity.

Ever since the news spread that Xu Kong would be participating in the show as a guest singer, it was clear that this episode of "Singer" was so popular.

The considerable number of additional viewers watching the live broadcast will definitely be a good opportunity for contestants like Lan Shu and others in the "Singer" competition to increase their exposure and popularity.

……

Facing the somewhat utilitarian Lan Shu, Jian Junfang did not look down on him or criticize him.

After all, it has only been a few years since the other party became a first-line star, and considering his age, he is still in the rising stage of his career.

It's normal to have such thoughts.

Even he himself had actually gone through this stage at the beginning.

It’s just that I’m getting older now, I’m already in my fifties, and to be honest, I don’t know how much time I have left in my career.

I have received the honors I deserve and experienced all the experiences I should have.

On the contrary, you can gradually take these things lightly.

His condition is already pretty good. At least he still takes on some shows or performances from time to time.

Some singers of his age are almost in a semi-retired state.

He may not even bother to take on a large-scale performance in a year and has hardly appeared in the public eye.

……

"You need to control yourself when the show is live, and don't be too aggressive."

Jian Junfang kindly reminded him.

Lan Shu is obviously a typical "warmonger".

Of course, there is nothing wrong with this state. Some singers need to constantly compete and compare with their peers in order to have the motivation to keep improving.

But as a senior, and Lan Shu was signed by him personally on behalf of his company, he could be considered half a teacher to the other party.

He thought it was necessary to give this reminder.

The main reason was that he had experienced this once before, and realized that he could not gain any advantage by going against Xu Kong in this matter.

The most important thing is that after his previous state of doubt, he now not only admires his junior Xu Kong, but is more amazed by him.

Perhaps it is because his creative ability is so outstanding that when people mention Xu Kong now, they think of his ability to write songs.

Including the album he helped Su Zhi create, which has almost become a masterpiece, it has indeed made many of his colleagues, including him, envious.

But apart from that, Jian Junfang should be the only person who has the clearest understanding of Xu Kong's singing skills and progress on stage.

When I first debuted through a talent show, probably half of the ten lyrics would be off-tune or sound like a car accident.

Then there was the song "A Bridge of Fate" that I sang together with Hua Hongjuan at the New Year's Eve Gala at the beginning of this year.

The change between them can no longer be called progress, but rather they are two completely different people.

……

"I don't have any grudge against him..."

Lan Shu said somewhat speechlessly.

It wasn't that she had a problem with her brain, she just couldn't help but get excited when she heard about competing with Xu Kong on the same stage.

Of course I know that the show is a show, and I won't say anything harsh for no reason.

Wouldn't that ruin your popularity?

Moreover, given Xu Kong's current popularity and number of fans, if he really did this, it would probably be a big problem with public opinion.

...Although the program of "Singer" seems to have no contradictions at all.

Even though they had competed so many times before and everyone had won and lost, overall everyone was still being polite to each other.

If you win, it's luck; if you lose, it's a pity, but you're convinced.

But in fact, Lan Shu's thoughts are the real human nature.

I won because I am strong and I deserved to win.

If I lose, I won't say I'm unconvinced, but I will feel a little sorry and think that the problem lies with the media review and voting.

Of course, there are older singing kings like Jian Junfang, or the two European and American singers who do things for money.

That's why I really don't care that much about the results.

Subsequent singers invited to "Singer", including Lan Shu, are almost all in their prime and on the rise in their careers. How could they really be willing to think that they are inferior to their peers?

……

In contrast, Xu Kong, who had already arrived in Xingcheng and was participating in rehearsals, really had no strong desire to get first place.

It can be said that he is indeed not aiming for the championship.

As long as you get fourth place, you will be considered a successful challenger.

He came to help out of Wu Youxue's kindness. Compared to when he first participated in "Our Song", Xu Kong's mentality has obviously changed.

At that time, he didn't have much say, although he knew Wu Youxue.

But the other party can still give him a so-called script.

But this time, Wu Youxue was very satisfied that Xu Kong could come, and as for the script and the like, he didn't even mention it at all.

Before he knew it, although only a year had passed, Xu Kong had also transformed from a chess piece into a chess player who was qualified to play a few games of chess himself.

……

Wu Youxue, the director, personally supervised Xu Kong's rehearsal.

Even some staff members of the program team could see that the director cared about Xu Kong much more than other contestants.

In fact, although Xu Kong had agreed to it directly before.

But before he actually listened to the song Xu Kong had prepared this time during the rehearsal, he was still a little worried.

Only after watching it now did I feel completely relieved.

Although Xu Kong agreed decisively and did not seem to be too concerned throughout the process.

But in the end it was surprisingly reliable.

Although he had a feeling about it before, he finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that Xu Kong was singing a new song that had never been released before.

Wu Youxue has listened to almost all the new songs Xu Kong wrote in the past two years, whether he sang them himself or wrote them for Su Zhi.

As a variety show director who started out as a music variety show director, Wu Youxue certainly understands music. When he was young, he even wrote some songs that seem mediocre now.

But basic judgment skills are there.

And most importantly, his sense of the market and business for a new song is even better than that of some producers from big companies.

He could feel that Xu Kong's new song would definitely not be too unpopular.

Of course, in addition to rational judgment, he personally also likes it very much. Compared with the songs Xu Kong wrote for Su Zhi before, this song is obviously more to his taste as a middle-aged man.

……

"Is your singing style for this song the same as the previous song 'Last Dance'?"

After the rehearsal, Wu Youxue looked at Xu Kong walking off the stage and couldn't help but ask a question.

Xu Kong was not surprised that the other party could guess it.

After all, the style and the way of vocalization are too unique.

Seeing Xu Kong nod, Wu Youxue couldn't help but feel a little better.

Although Xu Kong’s previous songs were almost all popular.

But the popularity of this song, because of the bonus of "Want to See You", plus the fact that Xu Kong has performed it the most times, and Xu Kong's deliberately changed singing style, makes people feel more and more addicted the more they listen to it.

On the contrary, its scope of dissemination is the widest.

Especially Xu Kong’s performance at the music festival last year. The total number of video views on major platforms has now reached tens of millions.

Regardless of whether the audience will still recognize Xu Kong’s new song this time.

But there is definitely no shortage of topics and hot spots.

For the current "Singer", this is the good news that can most directly reflect the effect.

Although it was unclear whether Xu Kong had considered these, he still expressed his gratitude sincerely:
"It's really troublesome for you this time."

……

"Director Wu, what you said is a bit awkward."

Xu Kong replied with a smile.

In fact, everything goes back to last year.

If Wu Youxue had not taken the initiative to show goodwill to him at that time, the two of them probably would not have had so many interactions afterwards.

Moreover, the reason why Xu Kong chose to help Wu Youxue this time was not because of Mango, but because of Wu Youxue himself.

From some things that happened before, Xu Kong could tell that Wu Youxue was not a good person.

But it is almost certain that the other party is the type of person who will definitely repay a favor.

There are quite a few people in the entertainment industry who are more considerate of human feelings and do not care too much about their own interests.

So Xu Kong didn’t think that he was doing a losing business by helping Wu Youxue.

Because of the other party's abilities and status in the circle, Xu Kong felt that there might be a time in the future when he would be able to use this favor and relationship.

……

"By the way, when will your new movie be released?"

As Xu Kong expected, Wu Youxue was almost eager to help Xu Kong.

Said that he could help promote his new movie on the "Singer" program.

And it's not just a casual mention, but it's like the treatment of a sponsored advertiser by the program team.

It is to directly ask the host and guests to cooperate and spend time to talk about this topic.

"It's just started filming now, so it's probably too early for the show to be released, so we don't need it for now."

Xu Kong also said something with a helpless smile.

Although it is possible to promote it in advance, it is too early and there is really no need for it.

The most important thing is that, at present, the discussion about his new movie can still be seen occasionally even if no specific news is released.

There is almost certainly no lack of heat.

……

"Then wait until the finals to promote it, when the popularity will be high."

Wu Youxue seemed determined to help Xu Kong promote his new movie.

“I may not be able to enter the finals…”

Xu Kong couldn't help but remind him.

Wu Youxue was stunned for a moment, but soon said with a smile:

"You are being too modest."

Although he was not completely sure that Xu Kong could win the championship, Wu Youxue really did not think that Xu Kong would have any big problems if he entered the finals.

The show "Singer" has been Mango TV's enduring IP for so many years, so it is impossible for Wu Youxue to damage its reputation by manipulating votes.

But the key point is that with Xu Kong's strength, there is really no need for this.

Even if he took the initiative to propose it, Xu Kong probably wouldn't agree.

After all, he has seen too many cases where the more talented the singer is, the more he hopes to win cleanly.

Only some artists who are not talented enough, such as the idol singers in the domestic entertainment industry, will look for shortcuts at the beginning because they are used to it.

……

(End of this chapter)